Carl Andre's Equivalent VIII: the most boring controversial artwork ever | Jonathan Jones

BBC4 is revisiting the hoo-ha over Carl Andre’s ‘pile of bricks’, which angered conservative art lovers in the 1970s. But the real scandal is that we’re still talking about this banal artwork

Most works of art that cause controversy are by their nature sensational. They are sexually graphic, or violent, or politically contentious. Carl Andre’s Equivalent VIII is different. It is the most boring controversial artwork of all time.

Related: Who’s Afraid of Conceptual Art? review – a daft idea is not art

It is not immaterial in the way conceptual art aspired to be. It is as solid as brick. It is also as stupid as brick

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